Who is Robert Downey Jr’s wife of 19 years, Susan Downey? The Iron Man star met the producer on the set of Gothika, and she helped her hubby land the lead role in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes

Jan 23, 2024

Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 14. Photo: Getty Images

The Iron Man star met film producer Susan on the set of Gothika starring Halle Berry back in 2003, and they got married in 2005 – she’s also behind films including RocknRolla and Iron Man 2

In his Oppenheimer acceptance speech, Downey Jr said his wife ‘literally made an art out of extracting me from my comfort zone’, and she’s previously talked about helping him with his drug problem

Robert Downey Jr. and awards aren’t the only two things that go hand in hand. The Hollywood actor often shows up to events with his wife of 19 years, Susan, by his side – and hand in hand – too.

Robert Downey Jr and Susan Downey on the red carpet the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 7. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Most recently, the acclaimed actor hit the Critics Choice Awards’ red carpet with Susan, where he later won best supporting actor for his work in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer blockbuster. It came just days after his big win at the Golden Globes, having landed best performance by a male actor in a supporting role in a motion picture for the same 2023 hit film.

Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 14 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: FilmMagic

In his jokey Golden Globes acceptance speech, he gave a shout out to Susan, calling her his “primary care giver” and saying that she had “literally made an art out of extracting me from my comfort zone … But she’s easy on the eyes, so whatevs.”

So what else do we know about the woman who has been helping the Hollywood actor be his best self?

Susan Downey is a producer

Susan Downey is an American film producer. Photo: Getty Images for Netflix

Susan Downey, 50, was born in Illinois. She is a producer and executive known for working on films such as House of Wax, RocknRolla, and Orphan. She’s also worked with Downey Jr on multiple productions including Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man 2, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Dolittle and Sr., to name a few.

Susan even reportedly helped her husband land one of his biggest roles to date – Sherlock Holmes. “If Susan hadn’t been in the room, Robert probably wouldn’t have become Sherlock Holmes. She facilitated it, definitely,” the director Guy Ritchie told The Hollywood Reporter.

She’s very supportive of her husband and his career

Robert Downey Jr and his wife Susan Downey have worked together on several films, including Iron Man 2 and the Sherlock Holmes films. Photo: Xinhua

It’s clear that Susan is very supportive of her 58-year-old husband and his career. “We just genuinely love hanging out,” Robert told Parade in 2020, referring to their relationship.